Chapter 33: The Signature
Cassandra’s POV
I arranged all the papers back exactly the way I’d found them.
My heart beat quickly in my chest. I resisted the urge to read through all the files. Surely, Jordyn was waiting for me and he’d wonder what I was doing if I took too long. The last thing I wanted was for him to catch me snooping around on his desk.
I racked my brain, trying to think. But I couldn’t reconcile my memory of that night with the picture. I hadn’t been there, the night of the accident. I didn’t remember being anywhere near the scene.
Yet, I was in that picture, clear as day.
I wasn’t sure what was going on, nor why I was in a picture at the scene of Ellie’s accident. I couldn’t dwell on it though. I had to file those thoughts away for the time being.
I had more pressing matters to attend to.
I’d come here determined to have Jordyn sign the divorce papers. Enough stalling. Enough beating around the bush. He apologized that night at the hospital, as though his weak apology could somehow wash away all the years of our failed marriage.
No.
My mind was made up. I’d already made the decision. Jordyn was with Ellie and I deserved the chance to move on.
We were getting a divorce. He was going to sign the damned papers.
And I wasn’t leaving until he did so.
I walked out of his office with a firm resolve (wearing an ugly polka–dot blouse). Jordyn was waiting for me right outside his office.
“Nice shirt,” he smiled.
“Whatever,” I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t up for small talk right now. You know, you might want to look into some training. For your staff,” I scoffed sarcastically, “to improve their competency. I was hinting at Ellie and it was obvious, although I didn’t come right out and say it.
Jordyn knew what I was passively aggressively saying though.
“I’m sorry, Cassandra. Ellie can be a little…clumsy,” Jordyn apologized.
I raised my eyebrow. “If you say so.”
“She didn’t mean to..”
“Save it,” I snapped, cutting him off. I didn’t want to hear it. “Just sign the divorce papers already, Jordyn.”
His face fell. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed deeply.
“If that’s what you really want, Cassandra.”
“It is,” I said firmly.
“Fine,” he replied, an edge in his voice.
We walked back into the boardroom. The papers were still sitting on the table, along with the empty coffee cup.
Jordyn walked over, clicked his pen, and turned to the late page. Just as I’d expected, he didn’t even glance at the revisions to my last name.
He looked up at me, a strange look in his eyes. Then he scribbled his signature on the page and slid it towards me quickly, as
1/2
Chapter 33. The signature-
though it was something he was eager to get rid of
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Finally! I couldn’t believe it! It was finally over. We were officially divorced. I was starting to believe he’d never sign the papers. But he had.
I took the papers and double–checked that his signature was, in fact, there. I scrutinized the familiar signature: Jordyn Smith. I had to make sure, just in case he was trying to pull a fast one and trick me.
“It’s my signature,” he said flatly, as if he’d read my mind.
Satisfied, I happily extended my hand.
“Thank you, Mr. Smith,” I said formally. “I hope the partnership between your company and Hot House Flower is both smooth and fortuitous.”
Jordyn looked down at my outreached hand. He paused.
Then he clasped my hand in his firmly.
His hand was warm and strong, just as I remembered it. I thought about all the times I’d craved that hand, all the times I’d wished that he’d hold my hand in his and comfort me.
But I realized, as he held my hand, that I no longer craved his hand.
Ino longer craved anything from him.
I turned to leave, but Jordyn didn‘
looked him in the eyes.
et go of my hand. I gave my hand a gentle tug to release his grip, but he held on. Surprised, I
He had a puzzled look on his face as he held my hand in his. Puzzled, I went to withdraw my hand again, but once again, he held
- on.
“Cassandra,” he said. Then he stopped. He appeared to be searching for words, like he was going to say something. But just then, his assistant came to the door.
“Mr. Smith,” she said brightly, “your 1:00 o’clock appointment is here. Shall I direct him here to the boardroom?”
Jordyn released my hand and nodded. “Yes, thank you. I’ll go get my documents.” Jordyn gave me one last look before leaving
the room.
I was alone in the boardroom but that strange look on his face lingered in my mind.
What was that look? I wondered. I gathered my things and tried to shake it off, but there was something weighing heavily on me.
The expression on his face.
I didn’t understand the expression. And the more I thought about it, the more I didn’t like the way it made me feel, as though there was something unresolved between us.
Something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
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